May 27 / 16.23 Newton Abbot

16.23

Good

Chris Wills Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 2f 110y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Chris Wills Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

10/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 09454-

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Ran well to finish a clear fourth in a Taunton handicap (2m, good) last month; has each-way claims if he can back that up but he's not easy to predict and is still a maiden after 21 starts; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

13th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

15:42 Newton Abbot

Saucats

11st 1lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Off the mark at the 25th attempt with a comfortable C&D success ten days ago; a 3lb rise looks fair and a repeat would make him a major player, though his overall profile remains patchy.

11/2

1st

7

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Saucats

10st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

0-24; went close in this new headgear combination here in May but he's back on the slippery slope and out of the weights this time.

14/1

5th

11

23rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

19:15 Newton Abbot

Saucats

10st 7lb

J: James Davies

T: Joe Tickle

Seemingly aided by first-time cheekpieces when close second to Makinbecon over C&D (good) last month, but managed only fifth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) recently and is now 0-23 over hurdles.

12/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: /33/6-

Last run: 282 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Bumper and four-time Flat (1m2f/1m4f) winner who is ideally suited by fast ground; respectable fourth on AW when last seen in February and he's on a workable mark back over hurdles; needs close look for in-form yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

16th Jun 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

17:08 Stratford

Ocean Heights

10st 11lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: David Pipe

Ended winter AW campaign with respectable fourth in February and kept on for third when back over hurdles at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) three weeks ago; also suited by this track and can go well again; swaps cheekpieces for refitted visor.

7/2

3rd

3

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

Ocean Heights

11st 6lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Bumper and four-time Flat (1m2f/1m4f) winner who is ideally suited by fast ground; respectable fourth on AW when last seen in February and he's on a workable mark back over hurdles; needs close look for in-form yard.

7/1

4th

2

(4)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:18 Lingfield (AW)

Ocean Heights

9st 9lb

J: Jack Dace

T: David Pipe

Out of the frame in all four starts since returned to the AW, but his fifth of ten over 1m2f here in December suggested that all may not be lost; now 6lb lower than for that effort and 8lb lower than when last successful; interesting.

11/1

OUR TIP

Form: 241-21 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Progressive mare who has form figures of 24121 since joining Joe Tizzard and both of those wins have been at Newton Abbot; 5lb higher than for her success over C&D (good) two weeks ago but she still looks feasibly treated and could continue on an upward curve; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

Reel Orange

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Progressive mare who has form figures of 24121 since joining Joe Tizzard and both of those wins have been at Newton Abbot; 5lb higher than for her success over C&D (good) two weeks ago but she still looks feasibly treated and could continue on an upward curve; key player.

5/4

1st

2

13th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

18:00 Newton Abbot

Reel Orange

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

In this headgear combination for the first time when winning by a length over 2m1f here last month (good) and then beat all bar a Skelton-trained favourite off this 3lb higher mark; looks sure to go well.

3/1

2nd

5

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:50 Newton Abbot

Reel Orange

11st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Off the mark at the ninth attempt over hurdles when justifying favouritism in a C&D handicap (good; cheekpieces added) last month; there wasn't much separating the first four but a 3lb rise looks fair and her confidence should be boosted after that success; big player again in her bid to make it 2-4 for Joe Tizzard.

15/8

Form: 3/7/3

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Failed to complete in three of his four Irish points; showed some ability on hurdling debut here (2m5f, heavy) in September 2023 but he's had just two since and has been tailed off in both of them; now goes handicapping but this 9yo has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

Alberts Bay

11st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Jackie Du Plessis

Failed to complete in three of his four Irish points; showed some ability on hurdling debut here (2m5f, heavy) in September 2023 but he's had just two since and has been tailed off in both of them; now goes handicapping but this 9yo has a lot to prove.

33/1

3rd

1

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

14:15 Newton Abbot

Alberts Bay

11st 4lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Jackie Du Plessis

Third on hurdle debut over C&D in September 2023 after a long absence, but off again afterwards and last of seven in October 2024; returns from another lengthy layoff on stable debut.

100/1

7th

2

10th Oct 2024

Good

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

13:48 Exeter

Alberts Bay

11st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Ryan Chapman

Modest pointer in Ireland; questionable what he achieved in a small field at Newton Abbot (2m5f novice, heavy) and best watched here.

33/1

Form: PP/5/1 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Six-time point winner who made it third-time lucky over hurdles when scoring on his handicap debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good) three weeks ago; up 5lb but that was a smooth success and the runner-up has franked that form since; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

1st Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Worcester

Scoresby

11st 1lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Harry Ryall

Multiple point winner who has raced just four times over hurdles and won a 2m3f Fontwell handicap in May (good); disappointing off this 5lb higher mark next time but that looked too bad to be true.

15/2

7th

7

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

Scoresby

11st 0lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Harry Ryall

Six-time point winner who made it third-time lucky over hurdles when scoring on his handicap debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good) three weeks ago; up 5lb but that was a smooth success and the runner-up has franked that form since; respected.

4/1

1st

7

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:12 Fontwell

Scoresby

10st 13lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Harry Ryall

Won his sixth point in March but was pulled up in his two previous races over hurdles (maiden/novice) and wouldn't be the percentage call here in his first handicap.

8/1

14/1

Form: 0/634-

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
7yo who has been beaten 24l or more in his five starts including three over hurdles; this is more realistic on handicap debut but he's taken a strong hold in his last two starts and he needs improvement with hood added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

Getone

11st 5lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

7yo who has been beaten 24l or more in his five starts including three over hurdles; this is more realistic on handicap debut but he's taken a strong hold in his last two starts and he needs improvement with hood added.

14/1

4th

1

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

17:10 Exeter

Getone

11st 4lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Lightly raced 7yo; hooded and tongue tied when a remote third of eight in 2m2f novice here for his new yard recently; lots more is required.

20/1

3rd

2

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

14:40 Exeter

Getone

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Daisy Hitchins

It wasn't a desperate run when beaten 24l behind a useful horse in a Tramore maiden hurdle in October (yielding); new trainer fits new headgear and lowers this 7yo's sights.

9/1

Form: 55F35- BF

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Modest form in six Flat runs and he's 0-11 over hurdles; beaten 11l when fifth at Taunton (2m, good; 15-8 favourite) in March but he went close there on his penultimate run and has claims if he recapture that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

St Lukes Chelsea

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Walford

Modest form in six Flat runs and he's 0-11 over hurdles; beaten 11l when fifth at Taunton (2m, good; 15-8 favourite) in March but he went close there on his penultimate run and has claims if he recapture that form.

9/2

5th

3

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:15 Taunton

St Lukes Chelsea

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Robert Walford

Remains winless after 16 races (six Flat, ten over hurdles) but the last four, latest over C&D, all suggest a major role today.

2/1

3rd

9

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

15:10 Taunton

St Lukes Chelsea

10st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Robert Walford

Remains winless but he was running well (still close up) when falling two out in 2m Wincanton handicap in January; he ought to be thereabouts off an unchanged mark.

14/1

Form: 4649-5

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 0665-P

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Crab Road

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £109.20
Straight Forecast £83.64
Tricast £466.68
Trifecta £554.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Reel Orange

RP RATINGS:

Ocean Heights

POSTDATA:

Saucats

The Times:

St Lukes Chelsea

The Star:

Scoresby

WEST COUNTRY:

Reel Orange

Telegraph:

Reel Orange

The Guardian:

Reel Orange

Daily Mail:

Reel Orange

Daily Mirror:

Reel Orange

The Sun:

Reel Orange

Daily Record:

Reel Orange

D Express:

Ocean Heights